Seven years can truly reshape things, as we saw with Dynasty Warriors 9 in 2018 seemingly freezing Koei Tecmo’s renowned hack-and-slash series. However, Dynasty Warriors: Origins brings a new breath of life to the franchise. For the first time in many years, it feels like a fresh take – an authentic advancement from its past offerings.
To put it simply, Origins is not identical to Dynasty Warriors 10; there are significant differences that set Origins apart as a unique entity. Yet, it doesn’t follow the typical formula of a spin-off, as its production quality mirrors what you would expect from a major sequel in the main series.
In contrast to previous Dynasty Warriors games, Origins follows a narrative structure similar to Role-Playing Games (RPGs). Instead of navigating between stages through a menu, the game is set on an open world map, allowing for exploration of various locations, characters, and battlefields.
Instead of an open world, it offers a player-controlled experience. You take on the character of a secretively skilled martial artist, a young man shrouded in mystery. At the game’s outset, you encounter the legendary warlord Guan Yu, setting the stage for your immersion into the tumultuous Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. The narrative unfolds from the perspective of your silent traveler, offering a unique viewpoint on this significant era.
Instead of referring to it as ‘Three Kingdoms’, we can call it ‘Origins’ because its title implies that it delves into the origins or beginnings of this turbulent era. In contrast to prior games where the battle of Chibi was primarily used for setting up conflicts, this game provides a more detailed account of the events leading up to the pivotal Battle of Chibi, which in this instance serves as a climactic conclusion rather than just a prelude.
The main storyline in Origins might seem rushed, ending when it appears most exciting, but it remains an extensive historical journey. The game campaign lasts approximately 30 hours, though this time only covers one aspect of its three-part narrative.
Approximately midway through this campaign, you encounter a pivotal moment: you must align yourself with one of the three ascending factions in China – Shu, Wei, or Wu. From there, you’ll forge connections with an entirely new group of characters and engage in distinct battles tailored to your chosen faction. The course of the story will play out differently based on your decision.
Essentially, this design significantly increases Origins’ playtime by threefold, placing it among the sturdiest Dynasty Warriors games constructed; however, it focuses on merely a third of the entire Three Kingdoms tale.
In essence, concentrating on events that happened earlier in the storyline significantly enhances it; characters become more fleshed out and the narrative becomes more immersive. Moreover, having a solo player character interact with significant figures provides a sense of realism. Characters from Dynasty Warriors that were previously exaggerated or comical have gained authentic depth for the first time, making them feel remarkably human.
Discovering these characters (both heroes and villains) through dialogued interactions significantly intensifies the impact of your alliance choices. For instance, if you choose Wei, it means eventually facing off against individuals you once considered friends on the battlefield. This can lead to some intense and sometimes bittersweet scenes during critical confrontations.
It’s great news that after finishing the game, you can freely revisit earlier chapters or even specific battles. Your progress, including levels, skills, and weapons, carries over, making subsequent playthroughs easier. Many players will likely dive right back into the crucial faction selection, choosing a different path this time. So, you won’t need to play the entire game multiple times _at least three times_ if you want to explore all aspects, which is certainly a relief!
One aspect of the story lacks the intended impact, largely due to the amnesiac main character. Admittedly, the background of this anonymous hero offers intrigue, but as the plot progresses, it fails to rival the intensity and suspense of the core Three Kingdoms storyline, instead seeming like an occasional diversion from the elements that have captured your interest by now.
Luckily, any flaws in the narrative seem insignificant once you step onto the battlefield. The grand scale of the major battles in Origins is truly awe-inspiring; these are among the most massive confrontations we’ve witnessed in gaming. At times, they rival what you might experience in contemporary Total War games, but instead of being a strategic observer, you’re fully immersed, playing an engaging action game right in the heat of the fight.
Here, Origins truly establishes itself as a genuine evolution within the series. The battles now genuinely embody Dynasty Warriors’ long-standing ‘1 against 1000’ design concept, where your most powerful special moves swiftly cut through hordes of soldiers in a single moment. At its zenith, when you struggle to distinguish what’s happening due to the swirling chaos on screen, Origins becomes utterly captivating.
As a gaming enthusiast, diving into the heart of Dynasty Warriors, I’ve found that the fundamental action remains the same, allowing for easy, broad combo attacks to slice through hordes of foot soldiers. However, it’s when facing off against enemy generals where the most significant changes reveal themselves.
As a passionate gamer, I find the intense battles in this game revolve around a back-and-forth dance of defenses such as parries and dodges. After fending off my adversary’s relentless attacks, I capitalize on their weakened state by launching combos and deploying my unique abilities. This weakens their spirit – essentially their stamina meter – leaving them exposed. Once that’s drained, they become vulnerable for a devastating strike or the ultimate finishing move, a satisfying spectacle tailored to my chosen weapon.
If you’ve played Warriors games before, you might need some time to adapt to the new flow of battles, as the combat mechanics have progressed beyond the traditional hack-and-slash style that borders on button mashing. Instead, it’s more about quick reactions, similar to what you encounter in action game characters.
From my perspective, it truly excels in elevating officer encounters to be more immersive and tactical, setting it apart from typical, troop-dominating battles. The fundamental mechanics gradually morph into intense skirmishes as the game unfolds, while mastering your abilities against formidable adversaries like Lu Bu offers a satisfying feeling of progression.
Eventually, you might find that things become rather repetitive due to all adversaries sharing similar game mechanics. Additionally, since there are approximately twelve distinct weapon types and most of the challenge lies in their defensive use, experienced players might find prolonged battles less engaging as they mainly involve battling sturdy health bars.
In the world of Dynasty Warriors, it’s typically known for boasting vast playable character lineups. However, that’s not the scenario in Origins. Instead, your main character can master up to ten distinct weapon types, each with its own move sets, special abilities, and exclusive mechanics. Some enthusiasts might lament the lack of the extensive variety that was prevalent in games like Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends.
However, Origins has been structured in such a way that it primarily focuses on a single player character viewpoint. Nevertheless, you do have the opportunity to play as a few other heroes, but these instances are brief. In most combat sequences within the storyline, you can be joined by a companion who will fight beside you until their power gauge is fully charged. At this point, you can temporarily take control of them for a limited duration.
Your allies are capable of delivering massive damage, making them ideal for a powerful counterattack. Truth be told, you may find yourself needing this option as battles in Origins can escalate rapidly if you’re not vigilant about the overall battle situation.
The series generally tends towards strategic gameplay, and Origins can be quite challenging at times. While it’s not necessary to constantly monitor every ally on all maps, you will occasionally need to assist certain characters when needed, just to prevent the enemy forces from breaching your defenses.
Monitoring a battle isn’t overly complicated – primarily, it involves paying attention to your allies’ communications, and adhering to the strategy discussed at the war room prior to each engagement. However, Origins is skilled at keeping you alert, and we wouldn’t hesitate to say that it boasts some of the most captivating maps in the series.
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2025-01-13 14:06